1:10 PM Latest Shimano XTR Ad

Sometimes photos sit around for awhile before they get used. The latest XTR ad is from the 2009 US Championships in Granby. I'd file this one under pleasant surprises... Adam Craig powering up the steepest part of the climb near the start finish area.

4:42 PM MTB World's Day 3

Waking up on day 3 I knew it was going to be a challenge. The rain had arrived. Driving to the venue I kept thinking "shoot moody." Once at the Giant pit's Adam Craig showed me the "doppler radar" on his computer and I relaxed a bit. The rain wasn't going to last long- so I'd get epic mud shots and classic XC pain without having to deal with nasty downpours. It did mean that the mechanics were busy adjusting away from dry tires conditions to wet condition tires.

It also meant that every XC bike got a brand new set of brake pads.







Once the racing started I ended up in what was the most crowded portion of the course for both fans and photographers. I was determined to shoot there, but once I got in my planned spot I wanted out. Too many other photogs right with me and I wanted something that would stand out. When former world champ Gunn-Rita Flesjas Dahle of Norway came running down the rock garden I knew I had a chance at something. It was incredible watching the women run down this. I have no idea how no one broke any ankles.







I got out of there as quickly as possible and set up on the longest climb of the course. After shooting some normal stuff I went tight again.







For the men's race I hiked to a few different spots and again settled in on shooting some real tight action. This was what was considered the high part of the course and offered some technical single track. Many rode, and many didn't. there is something awesome about watching the best pro mtb racers in the world get off the bike and run!

4:14 PM MTB World's Day 2

Day 2 for me at World's saw a completely different morning. By this time I was caught up on sleep and ready for a big day. Rain was supposed to be on the way and my shoot schedule included DH practice and the men's U23 race. I already had some ideas for DH practice but had yet to even see the XC course. Good thing I was going to have 30 minutes in between to figure out what I was doing.

Shot within 20 feet of the lit up Brad Benedict shot from the day before was this shot of Fabien Pedemanaud. I really wanted to shoot here more, and maybe light it up- but I kept on moving because XC was starting soon.







After grabbing some lunch I hiked the back portion of the XC course and picked two spots. One I could work with multiple lenses, flashes, and angles, and another I had to run through the forest that I could grab two different looks at. Late in the race I settled in on one of my current favorite looks and was pleased with this shot of eventual winner Mathias Flückiger giving it hard.







Once I was happy with some of my face shots I got a little lower for some leg and chain wheel shots. I'm pretty into these right now especially if legs are dirty or bleeding.








After the race I hiked the remainder of the course to prep for Saturday's XC racing schedule. The course was pretty cool. Would have been nice to get a chance to ride it. Trees, roots, rocks.

6:47 PM US MTB Championships

Just got back from the US MTB Championships held at the SolVista Bike Park in Granby, CO. The higher altitude and mid-day sun were a bit challenging- not to mention my 2 hour hiking detour the morning of the U23 race with my camera pack. That pretty much ruined my legs and feet from the start but I got through it.

Funny things go through my head when I'm at a "big event." What am I shooting? Am I doing it right? Is my stuff going to look different? Unique? Will anyone say wow? Just when I'm really second guessing my self I usually settle down and see something. when I know I have something good I take a look around to see if any other photo nerds are around. If they aren't or their camera has a different lens or is pointed some where else I know I'm in business.

When I get home I start checking sites to see what others shot. It gives me a good view into how others approached each event, and how they see things. For this event I'm pretty happy how things turned out. for some other pics be sure to check here Giant's FaceBook page

6:24 PM Fontucky

Ok, here goes... First post. I tried this blog thing awhile back and it didn't stick. This go round we'll see how I do. I made it an integral part of my newly updated site (it's almost done.) Here's my goal on this. At least one post a week, and it must include a photo from that week, and some insight into the photo- probably some technical aspects or "what was I thinking." If I do a second post it must be from the archive and have a story.

So first pic....

Fontucky. I only raced here a few times (once in jean shorts and a undershirt.) First big race of the season and they made the course something I would have loved in the mid nineties when I was fit. Steep climbs, fairly technical and lots of singletrack. Proper mountain biking if you weren't doing laps- even with the laps it would have been good. The photo I picked pretty much says the Fontana story.

Single track? check
Weeds? check
Rocks in odd places? check
Jersey wide open? check

The technical junk- I was running around like a mad man to get as many different looks as I could and on the last lap I set-up in the "pro" section of one of the downhill areas. Quantum flash is set up camera left at 1/8 power with just the bare reflector. 1/250 @F11 iso 100 @90mm.

Enjoy: